Taijiquan

 Taijiquan, often spelled T'ai Chi Ch’uan, pronounced (tie chee chwan) means ‘supreme ultimate fist’, and is one of the most commonly practised martial arts in the world.  As an internal martial art, Taijiquan enables us to develop a sense of being connected and aligned throughout the body by using the natural opening and closing, sinking and expanding, spiralling movements of the body. 

We learn to work with the body's intrinsic energy and strength: to use the body the way nature intended it to be used, to 'let go' rather than 'add on'.  Letting go, we allow the body to return to its natural state of being: correct posture and body alignment enables a naturalness to our movements; mindfulness allows our kinetic awareness to develop so we move fluidly, in a balanced and harmonious way.

 Taiji is an art form, where with perseverance and correct practice, not only our  tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints become stronger; but one in which our internal and inner strength, our vital energy, and our serenity of mind is strengthened.

 Whether training for martial skill or for health and relaxation we begin by following the same principles of postural alignment, balance, coordination of hand to eye and upper and lower body, timing, footwork and mental focus, linking and involving the whole body in carrying out the form's slow movements.  Taijiquan's many health and martial advantages are freely available to anyone who has the patience and perseverance to learn them. 

   'There's no mystique to tai chi chuan.  What's difficult is the perseverance'
Ma Yueliang

Yang Style Tai Chi        Cheng Man Ching Style